Emmerdale freelances seek rights

Freelances who have worked, or who are working, on ITV’s Emmerdale are signing a petition in support of union recognition.

The petition [144k pdf] will register the extent of support for BECTU’s right to represent the production’s freelance workforce.

Formal recognition would give BECTU the authority to negotiate improvements to terms and conditions of employment for freelances as a group.

BECTU branches in the Midlands and the North are being encouraged to assist with the circulation of the petition which can be signed by all eligible freelances, whether they are BECTU members or not. The completed petition will not be seen by ITV management.

“Our petition has been in circulation for four weeks and the response to the campaign has been enthusiastic.

“Our freelances deserve the right to an annual review. They also want an end to management’s ‘take it or leave it’ approach to those who work freelance.” explained BECTU National Official, Paul Atkinson.

BECTU has already approached ITV for talks about recognition and a response is awaited. If ITV rejects the union’s proposal, BECTU will submit a formal claim to the Central Arbitration Committee, the government agency which adminsters statutory claims for trade union recognition.

BECTU represents the majority of unionised staff at ITV plc and is recognised to represent staff production grades at ITV Yorkshire where the award-winning soap is made.

BECTU’s union representatives at ITV Yorkshire have been central to the success of the campaign so far.

ITV has a heavy, long-established reliance upon freelance workers across its production business and yet it has consistently rebuffed BECTU’s proposals for better treatment for freelances at its production centres outside London.

Paul Atkinson continued: “Our freelance members work alongside staff grades on a daily basis; freelances contribute to the success of ITV’s output and yet their claims for improvements in pay and allowances are not treated seriously.

“ITV hides behind the notion that individual freelances are free agents able to negotiate their terms and to secure improvements based on a good bargaining position. The reality is far less appealing. Line management are either schooled in taking an unreasonably hard line or they are denied the freedom to negotiate.

“Our freelance members deserve treatment which is at least comparable with their staff colleagues and after years of trying it is clear that formal recognition is essential to securing the real improvements which freelances deserve.”

Since new legisation on trade union recognition was introduced in 2002, BECTU has established a strong track record in winning new rights for freelances. BECTU is now recognised to represent freelances by Freemantle, for The Bill, and by BBC Scotland, BBC Resources and the BBC’s Natural History Unit.

Most recently, in September 2008, BECTU organisers secured recognition for freelances on EastEnders. Talks are now underway to formalise the agreement.

For further details about the recognition campaign on Emmerdale please contact Paul Atkinson or call our Manchester Office on 0161 832 7686.